Conagra Brands appoints former JM Smucker exec John Brase as CEO

Conagra Brands has named erstwhile JM Smucker enforcement John Brase arsenic its caller president and CEO to regenerate Sean Connolly.

Brase volition measurement into the roles connected 1 June and volition besides instrumentality a presumption connected the board, according to a connection contiguous (13 April).

After much than a decennary astatine the US nutrient group, Connolly volition relinquish the apical spot connected 31 May.

Brase was credited arsenic having much than 35 years of user goods acquisition and was astir precocious president and main operating bureau astatine JM Smucker, overseeing retail, the planetary concern and foodservice.

The incoming CEO besides spent clip astatine Procter & Gamble, including elder vice president.

"John's way grounds of driving top- and bottom-line performance, gathering brands crossed aggregate consumer-packaged goods categories, leveraging advantaged concern systems and starring inclusive, results-driven cultures is exceptional, and we are assured Conagra volition thrive nether his leadership," Richard Lenny, the autarkic seat of Conagra's board, said.

"The determination to name John arsenic Conagra's adjacent person follows our thoughtful attack to succession planning, including discussions with Sean, and our determination that present is the close clip for this enactment transition."

Brase said helium plans to physique connected Conagra’s “track grounds of driving beardown gross growth, strengthening margins and generating robust currency travel to unlock the afloat imaginable of its brands and present meaningful worth for consumers and shareholders”.

Lenny acknowledged Connolly’s grounds astatine what was described contiguous arsenic a “pure-play nutrient company”.

He added: “He has successfully led Conagra done bonzer times successful our manufacture - from the planetary pandemic to unprecedented ostentation and proviso concatenation disruptions - by instilling a 'refuse to lose' mindset crossed the company.”

Connolly said: “Our efforts to put successful marque gathering and innovation, turn standard successful frozen and snacks, sharpen execution and divest non-core assets person created a pure-play, branded level with proven spot successful cardinal domains.

“I'm assured that the Conagra team, nether John's leadership, volition physique connected the instauration we've established and volition proceed to present worth for consumers, customers and shareholders for years to come."

Chef Boyardee was 1 of the brands fto spell by Connolly past year, selling the shelf-stable pasta concern to Hometown Food Company for $600m.

Canadian seafood radical High Liner Foods besides acquired the Mrs. Paul’s and Van de Kamp’s brands from Conagra.

Headquartered successful Chicago, Conagra’s unchangeable of brands includes Duncan Hines, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender’s, Slim Jim, and Angie’s Boomchickapop.